With everyone on Earth having an opinion on nutrition and what the best approach is in regards to achieving their wellness goals, it is so crucial to get the facts from a trusted source.
I make the joke frequently that if you were to sit a nutrition or health coach in a room with 100 people and give everyone the opportunity to ask one question, the majority of the participants would ask the same question or some slightly modified version that could be answered in the same general sense.
The questions always come down to opinions on particular weight management programs, why we are experiencing weight plateaus, and what is the best diet or program to follow. Here is a certified Nutrition Coach's response to all three of these frequently asked questions.
Question: "What is the best diet to follow or where should I get started at the beginning of my healthy lifestyle journey?"
The world loves to overcomplicate the healthy lifestyle approach, mainly because the wellness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and everyone wants their piece of the money pie. When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, the simplest thing to remember is this...
Eat whole nutritious God-provided foods. If it comes from the Earth, chances are that it is safe to consume such as lean meats, rice, beans, vegetables, fruits, oils, nuts, etc.
Remember that anything can be bad for you when it's not used in moderation. People will demonize particular food groups not even realizing that most nutritious items (such as carbs or fats) can be used for fuel and recovery of our hormones. If we eat 5,000 calories of chicken and rice, we will still gain weight despite it being "healthy" since 99% of individuals on planet Earth aren't required to consume that much.
I cannot stress this enough...EAT YOUR VEGGIES! If you don't like vegetables, try a natural greens powder. Point is, the nutrients inside of vegetables (and fruits) are powerful for our entire nervous system.
As far as what is the best diet to follow...there isn't one! All diets work based on their ability to create a caloric deficit which is how we lose weight. Fad diets have no magic formula that creates weight loss and I'd gladly debate that with anyone. With anything, consistency is key! So, if you choose to partake in a popular diet regimen, be sure it is something you can abide to long-term.
Question: "What is your opinion on 'X' diet, supplement or workout plan?"
Similar to what I said in the earlier point, I am okay with any diet or workout plan that develops long-term compliance since that is what creates results. However, my only objection to anything is due to the current competitive climate of our industry, there are a lot of snakes that will do or say anything to get your hard-earned dollar, even if it means releasing a product that isn't safe. This is why consulting with a certified coach or licensed expert is so important before starting anything.
But, as far as whether I prefer Bodybuilding to Crossfit or prefer eating Keto to Intermittent Fasting, it doesn't really matter (in the general sense) as long as you are moving your body daily and eating whole nutritious meals while maximizing recovery.
However, when it comes to supplements, that's a bit more tricky. It's important to know that everyone's bodies are different. Each person is built genetically different, is under different levels of stress, is deficient in different vitamins and minerals, and requires different amounts of supplementation to complement their goals and lifestyle habits. Thus, any supplement that is taken should first be consulted with either your primary care physician or industry expert.
Question: "Why is my weight not going down on the scale" or "Why hasn't my weight moved in the last few weeks?"
Weight fluctuations occur on a daily basis due to a number of reasons. Inflammation, water retention or dehydration, irregular bowel movements, menstrual cycles, and more all contribute to the number you see on the scale. The best approach that I've recognized over the last few years is to weigh yourself daily and then take the average weight throughout that week to see the most accurate number-as long as weighing yourself daily doesn't cause psychological harm which it does to many. In that case, weighing yourself only once every week or bi-weekly is the best approach as well as tracking other progress points not related to weight such as daily energy, workout progression, mental focus, bowel movements, sleep quality, and more.
When it comes to breaking pesky plateaus, there could be several reasons behind it but the most common reasoning is due to the body adapting to the recent changes in nutrition or exercise. Without diving too deep into it, we are homo sapiens, meaning we are creatures of habit. Our bodies adapt to changes so this is why, in my opinion, it is important to track your macros and workout routines. This way you can introduce small changes periodically so we can introduce a new stimulus and invoke the necessary changes to keep progressing going.
At the end of the day, it is important that everyone understands the fundamental keys of achieving a long-term healthy lifestyle and it basically boils down to eating whole foods, having balanced portions of all macronutrients, being active throughout the day, staying hydrated, and keeping stress minimal. If you can stay on top of these key areas, you will achieve a very healthy lifestyle.
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"Coach Taz" aka Taylor Rodriguez is the owner and head coach of Taz Fitness & Nutrition. He is a Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach located in Deltona, FL that coaches individuals online and in person. Taylor was a former partying pro wrestler turned fitness enthusiast after the economic downturn of 2008-2010. After losing almost 70 lbs, his new passion is to help struggling individuals find new confidence within themselves to achieve any goal that they see possible. To begin coaching with Taylor or to request a free consultation, contact us today.
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